Safety violations reported at Castle Hayne nuclear facility

Published: Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 6:20 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 6:20 p.m.

Global Nuclear Fuels–Americas has reported two safety violations at its Castle Hayne fuel assembly facility as a result of mid-February problems with a fuel pellet press operation.

The GE Hitachi Nuclear operation's initial evaluation of the incident indicated it was not "reportable" to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, spokesman Christopher White said. "A subsequent inspection conducted by the NRC on April 30 contradicted that initial evaluation."

"As an administrative remedy, (Global Nuclear) reported the incident to the NRC on June 29 in a reply to (the commission's) notice of violation," White said in an emailed statement, adding, "At no time was the public, our employees or the environment in danger."

The NRC posted Global Nuclear's report on its website Monday, providing the first public notice of the incident.

"Global has already corrected the problem … and has taken corrective actions to make sure the problem does not recur," he said.

The first violation occurred when Global Nuclear workers did not follow procedure when restarting equipment, allowing 43 kilograms of uranium powder into a feed tube, exceeding the 36-kilogram limit. The second violation occurred when the first was not reported, the NRC staff ruled.

<p>Global Nuclear Fuels–Americas has reported two safety violations at its Castle Hayne fuel assembly facility as a result of mid-February problems with a fuel pellet press operation.</p><p>The <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic50"><b>GE Hitachi</b></a> Nuclear operation's initial evaluation of the incident indicated it was not "reportable" to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, spokesman Christopher White said. "A subsequent inspection conducted by the NRC on April 30 contradicted that initial evaluation."</p><p>"As an administrative remedy, (Global Nuclear) reported the incident to the NRC on June 29 in a reply to (the commission's) notice of violation," White said in an emailed statement, adding, "At no time was the public, our employees or the environment in danger."</p><p>The NRC posted Global Nuclear's report on its website Monday, providing the first public notice of the incident.</p><p>"This matter is considered closed." NRC spokesman Joey Ledford said, noting the two severity level IV violations were "our lowest cited violation (level)." </p><p>"Global has already corrected the problem … and has taken corrective actions to make sure the problem does not recur," he said.</p><p>The first violation occurred when Global Nuclear workers did not follow procedure when restarting equipment, allowing 43 kilograms of uranium powder into a feed tube, exceeding the 36-kilogram limit. The second violation occurred when the first was not reported, the NRC staff ruled.</p><p><i></p><p>Metro desk: 343-2384</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNewsOnline</i></p>